Severe Cyclonic Storm Remal[a] was a moderately intense and deadly tropical cyclone that affected West Bengal and Bangladesh in May 2024.[3] It was the first depression and the first cyclonic storm of the 2024 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.[4] According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, it turned into a cyclone from a deep depression on the evening of 25 May.[5] The cyclone made landfall on West Bengal's Sundarban Delta at 8:30 pm on Saturday, 26 May as a severe cyclonic storm. The storm's speed was between 100 and 135 kilometres per hour during landfall in the coastal area.[b][7] Remal killed at least 84 people including 65 in India and 19 in Bangladesh.[8][9][10][11] About 30 million people in Bangladesh and West Bengal were affected by power outages.[12]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
After four months of inactivity, on 21 May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) began monitoring a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal.[13] Later that day, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) would also begin tracking the system, noting that it was likely to become a monsoon depression.[14] The next day, the IMD noted that a low-pressure area had formed adjacent to the cyclonic circulation.[15] Late on 23 May, the IMD upgraded the system into a well-marked low, stating that it was rapidly coalescing.[16] The next day, the IMD stated that the depression formed in the Bay of Bengal, designating it as BOB 01.[17]
Subsequently, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (TCFA), noting the depression's broad circulation center and its improving rainbands.[18] The next day, BOB 01 intensified into a deep depression.[19] The JTWC would recognize the system as a cyclone, designating it as 01B.[20] Soon after, the depression intensified into a cyclonic storm, causing the IMD to name it Remal.[21]
Effects
Bangladesh
On the morning of May 26, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued a distress signal number 10 in nine coastal districts.[22] The Meteorological Department issued a warning that coastal 16 districts may be inundated by wind-driven tides of 8 to 12 feet above normal.[23] About 8,000 to 9,000 shelters were prepared in the coastal districts of Bangladesh to evacuate people to safety.[24] In addition, the army, fire service, volunteers and other government institutions were kept ready for post-storm rescue operations. Operations at the Port of Chittagong were suspended.[25]
Due to Remal, 19 people were killed in Bangladesh.[8]Rain and gale-force winds were present in coastal areas starting from the morning of May 26. According to Bangladesh's Ministry of Disaster Management, about 800,000 people in coastal areas were forced to leave their homes and seek shelter.[26] Wind speeds at the time of the main impact were between 100 and 135 kilometers per hour.[27] At this time, the high tide of 5 to 7 feet broke the embankment and submerged a vast area of the coast, which resulted in damage to houses, crops, and livestock.[28] Two children went missing and 13 people were injured after a trawler sank in Khulna.[29] More than 2.7 million people were without electricity and more than 27 thousand mobile network towers were down.[12][30] Traffic was disrupted in several areas after trees were uprooted on the road.[31] Flooding also occurred in Dhaka,[32] where three people were fatally electrocuted by fallen electric wires.[33] Dhaka received 306 mm rainfall, and many trees were felled and branches snapped. It is the strongest cyclone to affect Dhaka since Cyclone Sidr.[34] Severe waterlogging also occurred in Chattogram and Barisal.[35]
According to the Bangladesh Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, Cyclone Remal affected about 3.7 million people in 107 upazilas of 19 coastal districts. About 35,000 houses in Bangladesh were completely destroyed and 115,000 houses were partially damaged due to the impact of the cyclone.[36][37]
Damages estimated in Bangladesh alone is ₹7000 crore ($594 million in 2024)[38]
India
Cyclone Remal killed seven people and injured over 100 in West Bengal.[9] The cyclone toppled 356 electricity poles,[39] destroyed 2,500 houses and damaged 27,000 others in the state.[40] Evacuations were ordered for more than 50,000 people in the Sundarbans region.[41] The tidal surge of the cyclone reached over 10 feet of water and lasted over 36 hours in areas of the mangrove, destroyed or damaged hundreds of trees, and caused saltwater incursion in at least 80 freshwater ponds used by wildlife and locals for drinking water.[42] Many wildlife, including deer and wild boar, were killed due to the exceptional height of the tidal surge. At least 1,200 power poles had been uprooted and there was shortages of food. In Kolkata, 394 flights were cancelled.[43] More than 400 trees were uprooted in and near Kolkata.[44] More than 260 mm of rain fell in Kolkata in 24 hours along with 130 km/h (81 mph) gusts of wind.[44] Heavy downpour had also led to flooding in various parts of Kolkata and disrupted services at the Kolkata Metro due to the inundation of Park Street and Esplanade metro stations.[45][46] On 25 May, the India Meteorological Department issued an emergency warning for the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura due to the expected effects of the cyclone.[47] The cyclone also caused 13 deaths in Telangana, including seven in Nagarkurnool and four in Hyderabad. Most of the deaths in the state were attributed to falling trees or collapsing structures.[48]
As the remnants of Cyclone Remal went towards Northeast India, heavy rainfall triggered landslides, killing 40 people.[49] Damage was particularly severe in the state of Mizoram where 30 people died,[50] including 17 due to the collapse of a stone quarry in Aizawl, with six others missing.[51] Landslides also blocked the National Highway 6.[52] Four deaths and 18 injuries also occurred in Assam, where 16 districts were affected by the floods.[53] In Dhekiajuli, a tree fell on a school bus and injured 12 children.[54] In Meghalaya, one person was killed and seven others were injured by a landslide.[55] The severe rainfall led to extensive flooding in Guwahati and Silchar, with more than 50% of Silchar and surrounding areas flooded.[56]
Charity Football Match for Cyclone Victims
The Mizoram Football Association in collaboration with Mizo Professional Footballers Association held a charity football match on June 21, 2024. This match featured ISL vs I-League players from Mizoram to raise funds for Cyclone Remal victims.[57]
^"How Cyclone 'Remal' got its name and what it means". Hindustan Times. 24 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal to hit Bengal: How and why are cyclones named?". The Indian Express. 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^"Cyclone floods coastal villages, blows away thatched roofs and cuts power in Bangladesh and India". AP News. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal causes death and damage in Bangladesh, India". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Deep depression in Bay of Bengal to turn into cyclone after noon: Met Office". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"A tropical storm floods villages and cuts power to millions in parts of Bangladesh and India". AP News. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal crosses Bangladesh coast". The Financial Express. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^ ab"Cyclone Remal death toll rises to 19 in Barishal division". The Business Standard. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ ab"Cyclone Remal kills 7 people in West Bengal". Daily Sun. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal impact: Death toll touches 37 in northeastern states, Mizoram worst hit". Hindustan Times. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: Heavy rain claims lives of 13 people in Telangana". The News Minute. IANS. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^ ab"Remal leaves trail of havoc in its wake". The Daily Star. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Tropical Weather Outlook for North Indian Ocean". Indian Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
^Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Indian Ocean, 18Z 21 May 2024 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
^"Tropical Weather Outlook for North Indian Ocean". Indian Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
^"Tropical Weather Outlook for North Indian Ocean". Indian Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
^"NATIONAL BULLETIN NO. 1 (BOB/01/2024)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Government of India. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert (Invest 99B) (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 24 May 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
^"Tropical Weather Outlook for North Indian Ocean". Indian Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^Tropical Cyclone 01B (One) Warning No. 1 (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^"Tropical Weather Outlook for North Indian Ocean". Indian Meteorological Department. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: Great Danger Signal 10 Issued in Nine Coastal Districts". Prothom Alo. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Bangladesh issues highest cyclone warning as evacuation underway". BSS. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^আট হাজার আশ্রয়কেন্দ্র প্রস্তুত: দুর্যোগ প্রতিমন্ত্রী. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"A tropical storm floods villages and cuts power to millions in parts of Bangladesh and India". AP News. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Bangladesh braces for cyclone Remal as 800,000 seek shelter". Prothom Alo. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal slams into Bangladesh coast". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal causes Sundarbans to go underwater, threatening wildlife and residents". Prothom Alo. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Two children missing". The Daily Star. 21 February 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: 27,000 cell phone towers down, communication affected". Dhaka Tribune. 28 May 2024.
^"Photos: Deadly cyclone in Bangladesh, India leaves millions without power". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Tropical storm floods villages, blows away thatched roofs and cuts power in Bangladesh and India". AP News. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Deadly Bangaldesh cyclone one of longest seen". France 24. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal drowns Dhaka in rain, waterlogged streets". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Ctg waterlogging: Crores spent, deadlines missed, streets still flooded". The Business Standard. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: 37.58 lakh affected, 35,483 houses destroyed". The Business Standard. 27 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"35,000 houses destroyed by Cyclone Remal in 19 districts: state minister". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: Losses estimated at over Tk 7,000cr". dailystar.net. The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 13 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal slams into India, Bangladesh: What we know". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal Highlights: 6 killed, 29,000 houses damaged in Bengal's coastal areas". Mint. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal slams into Bangladesh coast as hundreds of thousands evacuate". Al Jazeera. 26 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
^"Echoes of sorrow across Sundarbans after Cyclone Remal". The Business Standard. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: At least 16 killed in Bangladesh and India". BBC News. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^ ab"It came, rampaged, and went: Remal claims seven lives in Bengal, swamps city, uproots over 400 trees". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal Impact: Kolkata metro, train, flight services disrupted amid inclement weather in West Bengal – Check full list". Financial Express. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal: Three injured in Calcutta; Metro Rail services, traffic disrupted". The Telegraph. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^ধেয়ে আসছে ঘূর্ণিঝড় রেমাল, ভারতের চার রাজ্যে রেড অ্যালার্ট জারি. Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
^"Telangana: 13 People Killed In Storm And Heavy Rains Due To Cyclone Remal". ETV Network. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Manipur floods: 3 dead, thousands affected amid heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Remal". Hindustan Times. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
^Joyce, Elijah (28 May 2024). "#BREAKING: Cyclone Remal Fatality Total: 61+ -15 in Bangladesh (+2 missing) -46 in India (+12 missing) -30 in Mizoram -13 in Telangana -2 in Assam -1 in Meghalaya #wxtwitter #breakingnews #Cyclone #Remal #CycloneRemal #India #Bangladesh #wxfatalities #Mizoram #Assam" (Post on 𝕏). 𝕏 (Formerly Twitter). Norman, Oklahoma: @WXFatalities. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"17 dead, 6 trapped under debris as stone quarry collapses in Mizoram amid rains". The Hindu. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"15 killed in landslides in Mizoram; more workers trapped at stone quarry collapse site, says CM Lalduhoma". The Indian Express. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal Ravages Assam; 4 Dead, 16 Districts Affected". guwahatiplus.com. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Mizoram Landslide Live Updates: 21 dead in storm-related incidents in Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya". The Indian Express. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Cyclone Remal devastates NE: 13 dead in Mizoram, 2 in Assam and Meghalaya, power cut, mobile, road, train and flight services disrupted". northeastlivetv.com. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"32 killed in 4 NE states in landslides, storm, accidents related to Cyclone Remal". Hindustan Times. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
^"Vanglaini - Infiamna | June 21-ah Charity Football Match - Mizo Players : ISL Vs I League". Vanglaini. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
Tropical cyclone
Subtropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression
